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Why Liefs is the future. And the future is now.

7+ years of proof that plant-based tastes good & is the future of food.

Thanks to our own delegation system with checks, balances and bonuses, our amazing team autonomously hires, trains and creates our Conscious Comfort Cuisine with consistency.

Many guests return multiple times, resulting in over a thousand five star reviews across platforms and four Tripadvisor Awards, proving day to day that plant-based and zero-waste compost is needed, even through all the low seasons and other dips and pandemic lock-down Tulum went through.

After having two-three vans operating over the years and seasonal catering gigs and retreats, it is time for our first full brick-and-mortar:

Liefs 3 is a new home with dedicated parking, a drive-in in the back, still a classic VW Van for desserts, a playground and a professional kitchen where we can finally bake our own bread, the finishing touch to our almost fully home-cooked menu.

Plant-based bowl with radish and chips at Liefs Tulum

Home-made, with heart.

Conscious Comfort Cuisine, cooked with care and a zero-waste heart. Tripadvisor has named Liefs a Travelers' Choice winner four times: 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Two vegan burritos cut open with a creamy chipotle dip at Liefs Tulum

Taste is King.

Liefs stands for delicious & nutritious food that happens to be vegan. The Café Espuma, the burger and the BLT are Liefs' most famous stars. Tacos, burritos, waffles, brownies, cinnamon rolls & more fill out the menu.

Co-founder Fem smiling with a Liefs Kombi in Tulum

Hospitality. Welcome home.

Personal attention is paramount. Give first before you can receive. Small gifts go a long way. Guests rate us 4.6 on Google across 1,108 reviews and 4.8 across all major platforms.

Green cucumber and lime smoothie at Liefs Tulum

Healthy and plant-based

Everything is plant-based, from bread, butter, bowls & brownies, to tacos, smoothies & fresh juices. On our menus we mention the grams of protein to break that plant-based paradigm. To-go or delivery? 100% biodegradable & compostable packaging only. Obviously.

Become Liefs Legacy

Liefs: overcoming against all odds.

From festival pop-ups to an award-winning café, ranch, retreats & cook-book.

7+ years of adventurous entrepreneurship. Many guests, meals & coffees. Hurricanes, burglaries & a pandemic lock-down. Continuous character-, brand-, team- & family-building.

Couple leaning on blue vintage volkswagen van before liefs tulum food truck
Restoring blue vintage volkswagen van liefs tulum food truck conversion
Green liefs volkswagen van on tow truck tulum mexico
Founder carrying wooden poles building rancho verde liefs tulum
Founder with muddy hand building liefs tulum from scratch
Founder planting vegetable garden liefs tulum mexico
Green liefs volkswagen van and trailer at tulum sign
Founder holding rescue puppy at liefs tulum mexico
Founder feeding rescue puppies liefs tulum mexico
Liefs founders with guests at vegan event tulum
Founder showing green painted hands liefs volkswagen van tulum
Liefs green volkswagen van setup with water tank tulum 2019
Founder carrying sack clearing site liefs tulum early days
Liefs team and friends eating at long table tulum early days
Liefs vegan food truck dinner guests evening tulum
Liefs vegan food truck lit at night bbq satay hot soup tulum
Liefs founders road trip with friends in volkswagen van tulum
Founder waving beside liefs chalkboard sign tulum
Liefs green volkswagen van with guests and string lights tulum
Vegetable garden beds with stone borders liefs tulum
Aerial view liefs green volkswagen van courtyard guests tulum
Rescue dogs sitting on grass at liefs tulum
Workers on ladder pergola construction liefs tulum
Founder with rescue dog in vehicle tulum mexico
Liefs vegan food truck burgers chips tacos soup popsicles tulum
Liefs team and guests celebrating around wooden table tulum
Liefs cafe espuma chalkboard sign pathway tulum
Liefs kitchen floor plan sketch tulum vegan restaurant
Founder thumbs up in liefs storage area tulum before opening
Founder resting with rescue kitten tulum mexico
Founder thumbs up cleaning site liefs tulum
Founder serving watermelon plate at liefs tulum garden
Film crew interviewing on tulum beach liefs story
Liefs volkswagen food truck under storm tarp tulum
Founder selfie at liefs tulum construction site block walls
Liefs co founder with supplies at supermarket parking tulum
Founder presenting vegan fruit platter liefs tulum
Founder reviewing notes at liefs outdoor table tulum
Liefs founders and friends at garden table tulum
Liefs founders and friends lunch at beachfront restaurant tulum
Founder drawing liefs chalkboard mural tulum wave pyramid
Liefs co founder with vegan buffet spread tulum
Liefs guests under umbrella at green volkswagen food truck tulum
Founder showing liefs gift cards at volkswagen food truck tulum
Founder pointing at turquoise volkswagen van tulum
Founder and friends smiling at liefs volkswagen food truck tulum
Founder holding newborn at liefs green volkswagen truck tulum
Guest raising iced dalgona coffee at liefs tulum
Liefs founders with friend in jungle garden tulum
Liefs co founder picking flowers green volkswagen van evening tulum
Founder installing liefs hand painted chalkboard mural tulum
Liefs chalkboard mural smoothies acai bowls infusions desserts tulum
Mechanic repairing turquoise volkswagen van with rescue dogs tulum
Inside liefs volkswagen van kitchen tulum vegan food truck
Co founder with rake at rancho verde compost tulum
Liefs team preparing vegan food in tulum kitchen
Liefs team smiling at green volkswagen food truck counter tulum
Co founder and team member with iced coffee at liefs tulum
Fem holding the Meals for Life vegan cookbook in front of the green Liefs Volkswagen food truck in Tulum
Liefs founders with baby and toddler under thatched roof green volkswagen tulum
Liefs tulum team with founders and babies under thatched roof green volkswagen

Thomas and Fem came from Amsterdam, by way of Houston, to Tulum and founded Liefs in 2019 with festival pop-ups and green-white VW Kombis, guided by a crystal-clear vision: create a kinder world, one meal at a time; as the solution to our planet's biggest problems is on a plant-based plate. Liefs grew into an award-winning café on Avenida Coba, open since 14 February 2020, with an eco-conscious catering business and Rancho Verde, a sustainable ranch that hosts retreats.

Today Liefs is a family brand with a zero-waste heart, a published cookbook (Meals for Life, June 2026) and a community that keeps coming back. Liefs 3 is the next chapter, and you can be part of opening it.

Fund Liefs 3 for free food

The Vision: the more Liefs, the more Love.

Liefs 3, The Isla Verde, between two main avenues in Tulum.

A green island in between two of Tulum's main avenues minutes from the beach, next to one of its most prominent real estate developers. Buyers, agents, residents and visitors pass by every day, and a green garden with parking, a drive-in and a place to linger gives them a reason to stop. There will be a garden all around with tables, space to park, a drive-in lane and a playground. Liefs becomes the natural meeting place of the neighborhood: people stay for a while to eat, chat and let their kids play. And every guest becomes a reason for the next one to come.

Artistic impression of Liefs 3 in the evening, a thatched-roof café with string lights, garden tables and the green Liefs food truck in Aldea Zama, Tulum
After: Liefs 3 in the evening, artistic impression.
Before: the Liefs 3 site seen from the avenue in Tulum, a thatched-roof building behind trees and a gravel lot
Before: the site today, seen from the avenue.
Before: abandoned real estate showroom in Tulum, the starting point of Liefs 3
Before: an abandoned real estate showroom. This is where Liefs 3 begins.
Before: inside the abandoned real estate showroom in Tulum with glass walls, a thatched roof and a bare floor
Before: inside the abandoned showroom.
Before: inside the abandoned Aldea Zama real estate showroom with a thatched roof and an old sales map
Before: inside the abandoned showroom, looking toward the garden.
Artistic impression of the front of Liefs 3, The Isla Verde, with a thatched roof, bougainvillea and garden seating in Aldea Zama, Tulum
After: the front of Liefs 3, artistic impression.
Top-view site plan of Liefs 3 in Aldea Zama, Tulum, with the kitchen, dining room, terrace and garden
The plan: top view, zoomed out.
Top-view floor plan of the Liefs 3 kitchen, dining room and terrace in Tulum
The plan: top view, zoomed in on the kitchen, dining room and terrace.
Artistic impression of the Liefs 3 interior with guests
The interior, artistic impression.
Artistic impression of another view inside Liefs 3
Another view inside, artistic impression.
Artistic impression of the professional kitchen of Liefs 3 in Tulum
The professional kitchen, artistic impression.

Parking and drive-in

Easy for families, travelers and neighbours to stop by and take Liefs on the road.

A playground for kids

Parents enjoy their meal while the little ones play.

A professional kitchen

Built to serve more guests with the same care, consistency and zero-waste approach.

Garden and terrace

Green space where Aldea Zama meets plant-powered food, music and conversation.

Sustainability & Community

Sargaso blocks for the kitchen

We will use sargaso blocks to build the kitchen: a new, hyper-local sustainable initiative from Tulum that upcycles the sargaso (seaweed) from our beaches into 100% sustainable construction bricks.

Giving back every month

A percentage of our proceeds goes every month to local animal-rescue initiatives, such as The Tejido (stray dog shelter, care and adoption), Rancho Verde and Tierra de Animals (ex-farmed animal sanctuary).

Become Liefs Legacy

Two milestones, one opening

Where your pledge goes.

Liefs and its founders contribute $20k USD to secure the contract, deposits, rent, remodeling, repairs, basic kitchen & front-of-house equipment, the team and their training.

$10k

Open the doors

Opening with a professional kitchen. This first milestone is what makes the 14 December grand opening possible.

$25k

Playground, drive-in & solar panels

The second milestone brings the kids' playground, the drive-in and, if we raise the full amount and more: solar panels. This makes Liefs 3 a 100% sustainable place, for the whole family.

Every pledge goes into building and opening Liefs 3.

Become Liefs Legacy

What Guests Say

Liefs Lovers.
From around the world to Tulum.

★★★★★

"I'm in Tulum for 4 days, so far I've eaten there 3 times. Tonight they gave me a free brownie, it was so good. Planning on eating there again tomorrow."

Triple - Step Travelers

Reviewed October 2026

★★★★★

"My family and I love it here. We literally eat here weekly! The food is very good and affordable"

Kimberly

Reviewed September 2026

★★★★★

"My vegetarian wife found this place looking for a meat free burrito and while at first disappointed because I eat meat I was exceptionally impressed. Delicious food and drinks that definitely felt quite healthy. Worth it, even for those that prefer meat!"

Brian L

Reviewed September 2026

★★★★★

"Got a welcome drink from the sweetest waitresses that work there and had a burrito wich was actually the best I've ever had!! So yummy and a bit spicy but perfect to me. Also the decoration and the whole setup was so cute and beautiful to sit there, they even have a swing. Soo to recommend cause everyone will find something there. They have also vegan options wich was incredibly delicious!!"

Elena Roland

Reviewed August 2026

★★★★★

"Absolutely delicious vegan food, the bowls are very large and the pastor is just amazing. Definitely get the creamy latte for a caffeine hit. The owner is also super friendly and helpful with info on the area and suggestions on where to go."

J C

Reviewed October 2026

★★★★★

"An incredible experience! The food is delicious and I loved the concept. The atmosphere is super cozy and Thomas and Fem's hospitality makes you feel right at home. It's a pleasure to support projects with so much conscience and heart in Mexico ❤️"

Karen g

Reviewed September 2026

★★★★★

"This is an absolute gem for anyone looking for vegan food. Genuinely one of the best meals I've had and my mate who isn't vegan absolutely loved it too. Shine, our waitress was so friendly and attentive. We also met Fem, the founder who was incredibly welcoming and helpful with recommendations for our stay in Tulum."

John Bone

Reviewed September 2026

★★★★★

"Always a pleasure! It's delicious, healthy, and fresh. Truly ideal. Very pleasant service. Even five years later, we enjoyed rediscovering the flavors of the smoothies and other products."

Christophe Rouillon-Hamelin

Reviewed September 2026

★★★★★

"I enjoyed the vegan waffles with chocolate mousse (the chocolate mousse is really good!), chocolate cake, tacos and blt sandwich although some of the potatoes were undercooked. We visited this restaurant 2 times. Would definitely come back if I visit Tulum."

Michelle Neto

Reviewed August 2026

★★★★★

"From the moment you arrive, the service is incredibly friendly. Said is a very nice and friendly guy who's always greeting everyone who comes in. His service is excellent, and he explains everything. I was welcomed with a shot of super refreshing and delicious ginger, hibiscus, and lemon water; it was a very thoughtful touch given the intense heat. The food is delicious, with generous portions, incredibly flavorful, and vegan."

Brenda Thalia Ramirez

Reviewed August 2026

★★★★★

"Amazing restaurant - I can fully recommend it! It is a particularly good options for vegans and vegetarians. Having said, I am a meat loving person and still LOVED their soy protein tacos. It is a casual vibe, where we eat by the street and chat with the incredibly respectful and friendly attendants"

Thomaz Teodorovicz

Reviewed August 2026

★★★★★

"Excellent service and outstanding attention from Lulu, Ilse, and Jair; great energy and excellent food and drinks. I definitely recommend it and would return."

Francelys Alvea

Reviewed August 2026

★★★★★

"INCREDIBLE food, epic atmosphere, this place is one of my all time favorite Tulum restaurants. You can tell the owners love what they're offering and you can taste it."

Sarah Metzger

Reviewed February 2024

★★★★★

"A lovely spot to sit and have a healthy tasty breakfast or their signature Espuma iced coffee. We come back here every year and highly recommend."

Tessa Slor

Reviewed April 2025

★★★★★

"The food was some of the best healthy and vegan food I have EVER had, so I went a second time. This is a MUST for all interested in health, wellness and conscious living."

Jordan LeClair

Reviewed March 2023

★★★★★

"I might turn vegan now! I could be a vegan if the food was always this good! The pulled pork actually had the shredded texture of actual pulled pork. The flavors were excellent."

Megan de Boer

Reviewed November 2020

Especially Tripadvisor & Book Reviews help Liefs a lot, thank you so much

Help Veganism Win: Review us.

Your reviews mean the world, thank you, gracias, dank, Lots of Love & Liefs, Thomas, Fem, Sofia, Emma Jane & Team Liefs & Rancho Verde

Help Liefs & get free food for years.

Buy food credit now & receive up to 160% back.

Receive a personal digital Liefs Lover card or Co-founder's Circle Card in your Apple Wallet to spend at Liefs. Credit valid for 2 years. No equity, no loan, no interest. The earlier you pledge, the more you receive.

Enjoy your early bird bonus until 21 November, 23:59 EST.

Digital Liefs Lover card

Digital "Co-founder's Circle" Card

Pledge a significant amount to become member of the co-founder's circle. Receive a hard-copy of our book, get future news first and gain access and first dibs to retreats and other offers.

Secure checkout by Stripe with all major credit & debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Unused food credit expires on December 14th, 2028.

The road to opening before high-season 2026

Four dates to remember.

  1. 14 NovCampaign opens
  2. 21 NovEarly bird bonus ends, 23:59 EST
  3. 10 DecCampaign closes
  4. 14 DecGrand opening of Liefs 3 and Thomas' mom's 80th birthday. She's a co-founder. :)
Become Liefs Legacy

Quality you can see, taste & feel: good food loves you back

Conscious Comfort Cuisine, a true Taste of Tulum since 2019.

Fem's natural cooking skills and Thomas' background as sous-chef curated Liefs award-winning menu. From our European heritage of pastries and coffee, fused with Texan comfort food finished with the deep and rich flavors of Mayan-Mexico keep customers coming back for more.

Vegan waffles with fruit, a green smoothie and edible flowers at Liefs Chocolate brownie with strawberries at Liefs Cinnamon rolls and espuma coffee at Liefs Vegan tacos at Liefs Tulum Mango and pineapple smoothie at Liefs Vegan burger at Liefs Tulum
Fund Liefs 3 for free food

FAQs - Good to know

Frequently asked questions, answered.

What exactly am I buying?

Prepaid food credit for Liefs Tulum. You pay today and receive more credit than you pay, to enjoy at Liefs. Your credit lasts until 14 December 2028. You can also gift this credit to a loved one.

Is this an investment or a loan?

No. There is no equity, no loan and no interest. It is food credit, and every pledge goes into building and opening Liefs 3.

When can I use my credit?

At Liefs in Tulum. If you don't plan to travel, you are welcome to still support a vegan business, as an investment in a kinder world for our (grand)children's future.

How long is my credit valid?

Food credit is valid for 24 months after Liefs 3 opens, so until 14 December 2028.

What is the early bird bonus?

Pledge before the end of 21 November (23:59 EST) and receive extra credit on every tier. After that, the standard credit applies until the campaign closes on 10 December.

What is the difference between the Lover card and the Co-founder's Circle Card?

The Digital Liefs Lover card covers the $100, $250 and $500 tiers. The Digital Co-founder's Circle Card covers the $1,000 tiers and up, for those who want to stand beside us as co-founders of Liefs 3.

I have a question before I pledge.

We love to talk. Reach us through the contact page.

Become Liefs Legacy

A kinder world, one meal at a time.

Join the families, travelers and neighbours opening Liefs 3 with us.

Pledge food credit

Come visit us in Tulum

Address

Liefs Tulum, VW Combi Café
Avenida Coba 107
77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Visit Ola

Hours

Daily 9am - 9pm
Closed Christmas afternoon & Christmas night
Peak season (±Dec - Jan) likely 8am - 10pm, tbd.

Contact

Send Inquiry

Order Online

Delivery via Tomato

Cover of Meals for Life: Award-Winning Recipes and Reasons to Raise a Family of Vegans, by Thomas and Fem Massink

Want to know the secret Liefs recipes & the solid science behind our choices?

Our latest book, Meals for Life, contains 178 independent, peer-reviewed scientific references, 50+ award-winning recipes, our complete family & Liefs founding story, and a practical guide to transition towards a plant-based lifestyle and even raising a vegan family from birth. Basically everything we know, no gatekeeping.

Look inside Meals for Life

Stay in the loop

Join the Liefs community.

Recipes, retreat dates, café news & conscious living, straight to your inbox. No spam, ever.

To help us create a kinder world,
one meal at a time,
show Liefs Tulum some love online.

Also at Rancho Verde

Come stay where
it all started.

Rancho Verde Tulum, our zero-waste jungle sanctuary, is available for retreats, weddings, private events and Airbnb stays. Airbnb Superhost & Guest Favorite since 2024.

Join a Retreat Book a Wedding Host an Event Book Airbnb Plan Your Build